Communicating During An Emergency

Under Pressure 29 September 2023

Communicating during an emergency

Emergency communication was often seen to be just the territory of emergency services. But with so many significant situations and incidents that have happened recently it is important to remember that no matter where you work you may become involved.

If there is an extreme weather event you may be at the centre of it, you may have staff that are affected by it and you may need to provide some support to the response. The same can be seen in so many other situations. In a terrorist incident so many business and organisations will be involved in some way either willingly or because they become linked.

What does this mean for our crisis communication planning?

• It means crisis communication plans need to have a section about communicating during an emergency about what will be done.

• It means thinking about what role is played during an emergency and what support needs to be highlighted through communication

• It means communication staff understand how the emergency services will communicate during an emergency and what role they play.

• It means ensuring that you are prepared and ready to respond to those disaster and emergency situations that may happen.

Don’t wait until these events happen and your organisation or business is caught up in the response or aftermath. Make sure that you have thought through this key area particularly in this chaotic world that we are living in. Update your plans and ensure that you are crisis ready.

Dublin Conversations

The communication project known as the Dublin Conversations aims to provide a new way of thinking about PR and communication. The focus is on looking at purpose and there are a range of materials available to help explain the approach and give practical support. Amanda had the opportunity to talk things through with the creator Andy Green. Find out more about the Dublin Conversations and Amanda’s comments on how it relates to crisis communication here.

Training Update

There are just a couple of spaces left on the last two training sessions for 2023. On 18 October, Amanda will be running a crisis communication exercise this time focused on reputational challenges. It is a chance to test your decision making and approach in a safe space. And on 15 November, Amanda will be discussing how to plan, write and implement a crisis communication strategy. To book a space email amanda@amandacolemancomms.co.uk

In Brief:

• In a recent Strategic magazine article Amanda talks about the ethical challenges for communicators when they are facing a crisis. Find out what she has to say here.

• In the latest #10minswith chat, Amanda spoke to personal and professional coach Sandra Edwards about resilience and how to manage yourself better to improve communication. Watch the chat here.

• There are rumours and conspiracy theories circulating ahead of an emergency warning test in America on 4 October. Find out more about what is happening here.

• A new report on AI and PR has been published by Quadriga University of Applied Sciences. It looks at the potential impact as well as the ethical considerations. Find out more here.

• The fight for Martyn’s Law continues with Figen Murray calling on people to put pressure on MPs and the Government to ensure it becomes law. Figen is the mother of Martyn Hett who died in the Manchester Arena terror attack. Find out more about the latest development here.

• The Chartered Institute of Public Relations have featured both Amanda’s books as recommended reading within their recently published guide to writing a Crisis Communication Plan. Thanks to the report writers for including the books. Find out more here.

• Thanks to everyone who joined Amanda’s session on Emergency Services, crisis communication and culture on 19 September at the Emergency Services Show. There were some interesting questions including how to focus on people when a crisis happens, how to prepare and building structures to support the response. There will be more to come on this issue soon.

• A recent article on the CNN website looks at risk, reputation, crisis and considers four points that matter about the approach to take. Speed and the fact words matter I agree with but in 2023 visuals are as critical. Find the article here.

• The importance of internal communication and authenticity from leadership is featured in a Forbes article. These issues are becoming more critical with the focus on internal behaviour and culture. Read the article here.

• Read the latest blogs by Amanda by going to her blog here. They include some thoughts on the BBC and Channel 4 television responses to the Russell Brand allegations and the importance of testing emergency plans.

Diary Dates:

• On 5 October Amanda will run the Getting Maximum Impact from a Disappearing Budget webinar for the PRCA. Find out more here.

• On 10 October Amanda will be running the full day training session focused on how to Manage an In-House Team. Details of the PRCA session can be found here.

• For anyone working in public sector communications, on 19 October Amanda is running a lunch and learn session for Westco Communication. The session looks at emergency communication and what to do to be prepared. Find out more here.